A clear, practical walkthrough to start your Trezor device safely: from unboxing and firmware to PIN, recovery seed, optional passphrase, and connecting to Trezor Suite. Follow official best practices and keep your funds secure.
Quick overview
Trezor hardware wallets provide a secure environment to store cryptocurrency private keys offline. This guide explains every step required to start your device and secure your keys. Read each step carefully and follow official Trezor resources when in doubt.
What you need
Your new Trezor device (Model One or Model T) and original packaging.
USB cable to connect to a computer (provided) or compatible connection for your model.
A computer with a supported browser or the Trezor Suite desktop application (download only from Trezor's official site).
Pen and trusted paper or a durable backup device to store your recovery seed; avoid digital storage for the seed.
Step 1 — Check packaging and authenticity
Inspect the box and tamper seals. If seals are broken or the box looks altered, do not use the device and contact the vendor or Trezor support.
Purchase devices only from authorized retailers or the manufacturer to reduce supply-chain risks.
Authenticity checks are your first defense against tampered devices. Always verify before connecting to your computer.
Step 2 — Connect and initialize
Connect the Trezor to your computer using the USB cable.
Open Trezor Suite (recommended) or follow the official web flow at the official Trezor site; download Suite only from the official domain.
Follow on-screen prompts to initialize the device. If the device requests firmware installation, allow the official firmware update through the Suite or the official web installer.
Do not install firmware from third-party sources. Official firmware is cryptographically signed by the manufacturer.
Step 3 — Create a device PIN
When prompted, set a PIN to protect local access. Choose a PIN you can remember but not easily guessable.
On Trezor devices, the PIN entry layout is randomized on the device screen to defend against keyloggers—always enter the PIN using the device screen prompts.
The PIN protects the device itself; the recovery seed is the ultimate backup for account recovery.
Step 4 — Write down your recovery seed
Trezor will display a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery seed. Write each word down in order on paper or a metal backup plate.
Verify the words carefully. Double-check spelling and order before storing the backup.
Store the seed offline in a secure location (safe, safety deposit box, or split across multiple secure locations). Never store the seed digitally (photos, cloud storage, notes apps).
Anyone with your recovery seed can control your funds. Treat it with the same protection as a large bank vault key.
Optional: enable passphrase
A passphrase adds an extra secret to your seed and creates a hidden wallet. Use it if you require stronger protection, but understand that losing it means losing access to the hidden wallet.
If you use a passphrase, store it separate from your seed and use secure storage practices.
Step 5 — Connect accounts in Trezor Suite
Open Trezor Suite and allow the device to connect. Confirm prompts on the device screen.
Add cryptocurrency accounts you want to manage (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana support depends on model and Suite compatibility).
Always verify receiving addresses on the hardware device screen before sending funds.
Address verification on the device prevents malicious software from substituting addresses during transactions.
Security best practices
Keep device firmware and Suite software up to date—firmware updates often include security fixes.
Never share your recovery seed, PIN, or passphrase with anyone—official support will never ask for them.
Consider advanced options for high-value holdings: Shamir Backup, multisig setups, or hardware splitting methods.
Use a dedicated, secure computer for wallet management if possible, and minimize installed browser extensions that can interfere with web flows.
Troubleshooting
Device not recognized — try another USB cable/port, ensure the device is unlocked, and confirm Trezor Suite or browser permissions are granted.
Missing or damaged recovery seed — if you still have device access, make a new backup immediately and transfer funds to a newly-initialized device.
Compromised device — assume compromise, transfer funds using a new seed on a new device, and revoke any linked third-party permissions.